Low damping high strength polymer with long chain branching for use in anti-vibration applications

ABSTRACT

A low damping high strength polymer with a blend of a terpolymer and a tetrapolymer utilizing ethylene, propylene, and non-conjugated dienes. This polymer allows for the creation of products with high diene contents and broad molecular weight distributions while utilizing a continuous flow reactor and a known catalyst. The polymer allows for these products to be made without gelling or fouling of the reactor, which are problems known in the art.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation in Part of co-pending U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/049,037 filed on Oct. 08, 2013, entitled“PROCESS FOR CREATING AN ETHYLENE ELASTOMER,” issued as U.S. Pat. No.8,901,236 on Dec. 02, 2014 and is a Continuation in Part of co-pendingU.S. patent application Ser. No.: 14/049,075 filed on Oct. 08, 2013,entitled “SPONGE POLYMER WITH CONTROLLED LONG CHAIN BRANCHING AND BROADMOLECULAR WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION,” issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,901,238 onDec. 02, 2014, both of these applications claim priority to and thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.: 61/711,596filed on Oct. 09, 2012, entitled “METHOD FOR MAKING A SPONGE POLYMER.”These references are hereby incorporated in their entirety.

FIELD

The present embodiments generally relate to a long chain ethyleneelastomer polymer having (i) an ethylene propylene diene tetrapolymerand (ii) either: an ultrahigh molecular weight ethylene propylene dieneterpolymer or an ultrahigh molecular weight ethylene propylene dienetetrapolymer for use in anti-vibration applications.

BACKGROUND

A need exists for a low damping high strength polymer with both highdensity impact absorbance and high heat resistance.

A need exists for a low damping high strength polymer for use as motormounts.

A need exists for a low damping high strength polymer with a significantdegree of long chain branching, a high degree of diene content, a uniquemolecular weight distribution, and favorable elasticity characteristics.

The present embodiments meet these needs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description will be better understood in conjunction withthe accompanying drawing as follows:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of the process for blending polymers according toone or more embodiments.

The present embodiments are detailed below with reference to the listedFigure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Before explaining the present polymer in detail, it is to be understoodthat the polymer is not limited to the particular embodiments and thatit can be practiced or carried out in various ways.

The present embodiments relate to a polymer formed from EPDMtetrapolymer boasting surprising physical and chemical characteristicsas well as excellent processability.

The EPDM tetrapolymer is an ethylene propylene diene tetrapolymer withtwo or more conjugated dienes that exhibits exceptional smoothness whenextruded, and is suitable for use in multiple applications such assealing and noise dampening. The tetrapolymer further exhibits excellentnon-linear viscosity characteristics and compression setcharacteristics.

A benefit of the ethylene elastomer is that the chemical components areeasy to process and allow for a continuous flow process which can beoperated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, making a bright polymer withhigh purity.

In one or more embodiments, the polymer can include an extender oil.

A benefit of the polymer is that the resulting ethylene elastomer can bereduced easily into friable bales for easy transport and delivery to auser of the polymer.

A benefit of this ethylene elastomer formed by this process is that thematerial is easy to use in a mixer, breaking down for easy blending withother compounding ingredients.

The polymer created herein contains high diene content without reactorfouling due to gelling (or uncontrolled branching reactions).

The ethylene elastomer has high degrees of long chain branching, a highmolecular weight, a broad molecular weight distribution (MWD), a lowtangent delta, and a high diene content while making use of a knowncatalyst and a single reactor.

As used within this application, the term “diene” can refer to anorganic compound containing two double bonds. Further, usable dienes arethose that are capable of being polymerized by a Ziegler-Natta catalyst.

As used within this application, the term “molecular weightdistribution” or (MWD) can refer to the weight average molecular weightof a polymer (Mw) divided by the number average molecular weight of apolymer (Mn). Mw and Mn are determined as follows:

$M_{n} = \frac{\sum\limits_{i}^{\;}\; {N_{i}M_{i}}}{\sum\limits_{i}^{\;}\; N_{i}}$and$M_{w} = \frac{\sum\limits_{i}^{\;}\; {N_{i}M_{i}^{2}}}{\sum\limits_{i}^{\;}\; {N_{i}M_{i}}}$

Wherein, N_(i) is the number of molecules having molecular weight M_(i)in a given polymer sample.

As used within this application, the term “tangent delta” is a measureof the relationship between viscosity and elasticity that is known tothose ordinarily skilled in the art.

The descriptions below make use of norbornene derivatives as the dienefor exemplary reasons. In particular, vinyl norbornene is usable herein.However, other dienes with similar chemical and reactive characteristicsmay be substituted by persons ordinarily skilled in the art.

In this process, a 5-Ethylidene-2-norbornene (ENB) can be used. Inembodiments it can comprise the structure:

Molecular Structure:

Formula: C9H12

Molecular Weight: 120.19

Synonyms for this molecule can include: ENB; Ethylidene Norbornene;5-Ethylene-2-Norborene; Ethylidene-2-Norbornene; 5-EthylideneNorbornene; 5-Ethylidene-2-Norbornen; 5 -Ethylidenenorborn-2-ene;5-ethylidene-5-norbornene; Ethylidene Norbornene (ENB)

Boiling Point: 146 degrees Celsius at 760 mmHg

Flash Point: 38.3 degrees Celsius

In this process, a 5-vinyl-2-norbornene (VNB) can be used which is knownby the structure:

Molecular Structure:

Formula: C9H12

Molecular Weight: 120.21

Synonyms for this molecule can include:2-Norbornene,5-vinyl-(6CI,7CI,8CI); 2-Vinyl-5-norbornene;2-Vinylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene; 2-Vinylnorbornene;5-Ethenylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene; 5-Vinyl-2-norbornene;5-Vinylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene; 5-Vinylnorbornene; NSC 61529; V 0062;VBH; Vinylnorbornene

Boiling Point: 141 degrees Celsius at 760 mmHg

Flash Point: 28 degrees Celsius

VNB is a non-conjugated diene with which it is known to be difficult tocreate copolymers due to its propensity to branch uncontrollably, creategels during polymerization, and foul a reactor.

The unique process allows for relatively large concentrations of VNB intetrapolymers, and uniquely allows for terpolymers with a VNB componentto be created.

In embodiments, a thermoplastic vulcanizate comprising the tertrapolymerand the terpolymer blend can be made using the process for continuouslymaking a blend of a terpolymer with a tetrapolymers, comprising ethylenemonomers, alpha olefin monomers, and at least two non-conjugated dienemonomers.

The general process for making the polymer is described as follows:

A saturated hydrocarbon solvent is utilized as a reaction medium andcarrier stream for all monomers used in the process. The saturatedhydrocarbon is introduced to the reactor at a flow rate adequate tosustain a residence time of 30 minutes to 60 minutes in the reactor.Prior to entering the reactor, the saturated hydrocarbon stream ispassed through a chiller to reduce its temperature below 35 degreesCelsius.

In the examples shown below, hexane can be used as the hydrocarbonsolvent due to its ready availability and ease of removal from the finalproduct. However, many other hydrocarbon solvents can be utilized, suchas butane, pentane, heptane, octane, and combinations thereof.Cyclohexane can be used.

A pure ethylene monomer is introduced to the saturated hydrocarbonsolvent at a flow rate to achieve the desired ethylene weight content ina final product. The ethylene content in the final product can rangefrom 40 percent to 80 percent by weight. The ethylene to alpha olefinratio can range from 40:60 to 80:20 in the final product of thetetrapolymer.

A pure propylene monomer is introduced to the saturated hydrocarbonsolvent at a flow rate to achieve the desired propylene weight contentin a final product. The propylene content in the final product can rangefrom 60 percent to 20 percent, and be in a range of 33 percent to 37percent by weight.

The example shown below utilizes a norbornene derivative as the diene.However, similar results are to be expected with other dienes withsimilar chemical characteristics.

Utilizing ethylene, propylene and a diene results in an ethylenepropylene diene monomer (EPDM) in the example below. EPDM is awell-known product class with desirable properties.

Hydrogen is introduced to the saturated hydrocarbon solvent at a flowrate adequate to achieve a desired molecular weight in the finalproduct.

The dienes are introduced to the saturated hydrocarbon solvent/carrierat a rate sufficient to achieve the desired weight percent in the finalpolymer.

The dienes can be numerous compounds as known to persons ordinarilyskilled in the art. In the current example, both5-ethylidene-2-norbornene (ENB) and 5-Vinyl-2-norbornene (VNB) are usedas dienes for preparing a final product.

Some examples of other norbornene derivatives are:5-methylene-2-norbornene, 5-(2-propenyl)-2-norbornene,5-(3-butenyl)-2-norbornene, 5-(4-pentenyl)-2-norbornene,5-(5-hexenyl)-2-norbornene, 5-(6-heptenyl)-2-norbornene,5-(7-octenyl)-2-norbornene.

The mixture of the saturated hydrocarbon solvent, propylene, hydrogen,and dienes is sent through a chiller to reduce its temperature below 35degrees Celsius. As the polymerization reaction to follow is exothermic,this cooling step helps to maintain the desired temperature range withinthe reactor. Although the process as described is for solutionpolymerization, with some minor adjustments to catalyst, it can beadapted to gas, or slurry phase processes.

A Ziegler-Natta catalyst, optionally a catalyst promoter, andco-catalyst, are introduced to the reactor concurrently with the cooledmixture of the saturated hydrocarbon solvent, alpha olefin, hydrogen,and dienes and optionally, a promoter can be introduced into thecontinuous flow reactor.

The Ziegler-Natta catalyst comprises a transition metal or a transitionmetal compound. Some examples of transition metals or compounds thereoffor the current invention are Vanadium, Titanium, and Zirconium.However, other transition metals can be substituted by personsordinarily skilled in the art.

The Ziegler-Natta catalyst is introduced at a flow rate sufficient tosustain a continuous reaction. The example below serves to illustratethis.

The co-catalyst comprises a metal alkyl which further comprises ahalogen element. The co-catalysts utilized can be Diethylaluminumchloride, Ethylaluminum sesquichloride, or Ethylaluminum dichloride.

However, many other compounds can be substituted by persons ordinarilyskilled in the art.

The co-catalyst is introduced at a flow rate sufficient to sustain acontinuous reaction. The example below serves to illustrate this.

The promoter if used, can be an oxidizing agent capable of oxidizing thetransition metal and generating at least one halogen free radical permole of promoter used. An example of a promoter is a chlorinated ester,such as Butyl-2methyl, 4,4,4-trichlorobut-2-enoate. However, many otherorganic compounds that generate halogen free radicals can be substitutedby persons ordinarily skilled in the art.

The promoter is introduced either separately, or in solution with theZiegler-Natta catalyst at a flow rate sufficient to sustain a continuousreaction. The example below serves to illustrate this.

The flow rate of all the above components is adjusted to allow for aresidence time from 30 minutes to 60 minutes in the reactor at atemperature from 35 degrees Celsius to 65 degrees Celsius and at apressure of 190 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) to 230 pounds persquare inch gauge (psig).

The first of two polymers used to create the unique low damping highstrength polymer, the tetrapolymer component is made by this process.The result has a broad breadth molecular weight distribution, and abroad range of desirable characteristics that can be customized to thedesired application, such as 3.0 to 10.00 Mw/Mn.

This process creates broad breadth molecular weight distribution (MWD)products, which translates to higher green strengths, improved millhandling, extremely smooth extrusion surfaces due to the relationshipbetween viscosity and shear rate, and optimum qualities for injectionmolding.

At the same time, this polymer has for high diene content whichtranslates to faster cure rates, and excellent compression setcharacteristics for sealing applications. Specifically, this productallows for a large VNB concentration.

This tetrapolymer can be created without fouling of the reactor due togelling, or uncontrolled branching, while utilizing only one reactor andhigh quantities of dienes. Specifically, high quantities of VNB can beutilized without fouling of the reactor.

The combination of broad breadth molecular weight distribution, lowtangent delta, and high diene content is known in the art to bedifficult to accomplish in a single reactor system without fouling ofthe reactor.

An embodiment of the tetrapolymer EPDM is described below:

EXAMPLE 1

In this example a tetrapolymer having high molecular weight (Mw), broadbreadth molecular weight distribution (MWD), high degree of branchingand high diene content is produced. The reactor is charged with hexaneat a flow rate of 107 grams per minute at temperature of 45 degreesCelsius and a reactor pressure of 200 psig.

Next, pure propylene monomer is introduced to the hexane stream at aflow rate of 19 grams per minute.

As the next step, a hydrogen in nitrogen mix with 10 percent hydrogen byweight is introduced to the hexane stream at a flow rate of 5.8 standardliters per hour.

Next, an ethylidene norbornene (ENB) monomer solution (in hexane) isintroduced to the hexane stream at a flow rate of 76 grams of solutionper hour.

As the next step, a 5-vinyl-2-norbornene monomer solution (in hexane) isintroduced to the hexane stream at a flow rate of 98 grams per hour.

Next, a chlorinated aluminum alkyl co-catalyst solution (ethyl aluminumsesquichloride in hexane) is fed directly to the reactor by separatestream at a rate of 78 grams of solution per hour.

Subsequently, a Ziegler-Natta catalyst solution (vanadium oxytrichloridein hexane) and a promoter solution (in hexane) are introduced to thereactor by separate stream at flow rates of 72 grams per hour each.

The Ziegler-Natta catalyst and promoter are premixed in hexane to yielda solution that is fed directly to the reactor as a single stream.

In the next step, a polymer grade ethylene monomer is incrementallyintroduced to the hexane stream to reach a maximum flow rate of 6.6grams per minute.

When all reagents have been added to the reactor, the polymerizationreaction is allowed to proceed with a residence time of approximately 30minutes at a temperature of 45 degrees Celsius and a reactor pressure of200 psig, resulting in a tetrapolymer.

The tetrapolymer as formed has a weight average molecular weight of500,000 to 2,500,000, a broad breadth molecular weight distribution(MWD) of 3.0 to 10, in this embodiment 3.16, a Mooney viscosity (ML 1+4@125 degrees Celsius) of 50 to (ML 1+4@ 150 degrees Celsius) 215, in thisexample 82 Moony Units (MU), and a very low tangent delta value of from0.15 to 0.75, in this example 0.60, indicative of a high level ofbranching.

The polymer chain branching can be seen from the tangent delta rangingfrom 0.15 to 0.75.

In this specific example, the tetrapolymer has an ethylene:propyleneratio of 62:38, a VNB weight percent of 0.33 weight percent and ENBcontent of 7.3 weight percent.

In this example, a resultant tetrapolymer can be formed with thefollowing characteristics: polymer chain branching as characterized by atangent delta ranging from 0.15 to 0.75; a non-linear relationshipbetween viscosity and shear as characterized by the tangent delta from0.15 to 0.75; a weight average molecular weight of a weight averagemolecular weight of 550,000 to 2,500,000; a Mooney viscosity rangingfrom (ML 1+4@ 125 degrees Celsius) 50 to (ML 1+4@ 150 degrees Celsius)215; an ethylene to alpha olefin ratio ranging from 40:60 to 80:20; amolecular weight distribution ranging from 3.0 to 10; and a combinedweight content of ethylene and alpha olefin of 50 percent to 80 percentbased upon the total weight of the VNB EPDM tetrapolymer; a firstnon-conjugated diene content of 0.01 percent to 25 percent by weightcontent based upon the total weight of the VNB EPDM tetrapolymer; and asecond non-conjugated diene content if used of 0.01 percent to 5 percentby weight content based upon the total weight of the VNB EPDMtetrapolymer.

Once the tetrapolymer is created, in a second reactor either: anultrahigh molecular weight ethylene propylene diene terpolymer or anultrahigh molecular weight ethylene propylene diene tetrapolymer iscreated.

The following table provides examples of formed tetrapolymers and theirphysical properties. Each of these tetrapolymers was made using the sameprocess as Example 1.

Ex. 2 Ex. 3 Ex. 4 Ex. 5 Ex. 6 Ex.7 % C3 21.9 35.2 30.6 40.2 40.7 38 %ENB 13.6 4.6 4.7 4.5 4.4 9.5 % VNB 1.7 2.2 2.2 2.2 2.3 0.3 Mn [Da]257382 138229 150470 121465 196034 181000 Mw [Da] 1610000 898049 1420000683274 869124 558000 Mz [Da] 12270000 7879000 13920000 3355000 33080001934000 Mw/Mn 6.25 6.50 9.44 5.63 4.43 3.09

From 0.1 to 0.5 weight percent of an antioxidant based on the totalweight percent of the final tetrapolymer is added to the tetrapolymerafter it is created.

UltraHigh Molecular Weight Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer

A liquid phase ultrahigh molecular weight ENB EPDM terpolymer is madeusing ethylene monomers, propylene monomers, and optionally a thirdnon-conjugated diene monomer can be continuously formed by firstintroducing a saturated hydrocarbon stream.

The liquid phase ultrahigh molecular weight ENB EPDM terpolymer has thefollowing characteristics: polymer chain branching as characterized by atangent delta ranging from 1.0 to 0.75; a non-linear relationshipbetween viscosity and shear as characterized by the tangent delta from1.0 to 0.75; a weight average molecular weight of a weight averagemolecular weight of 700,000 to 2,500,000, a Mooney viscosity rangingfrom (ML 1+4@ 150 degrees Celsius) 80 to (ML 1+4@ 150 degrees Celsius)215; an ethylene to alpha olefin ratio ranging from 65:35 to 75:25; amolecular weight distribution ranging from 2.0 to 2.5; a combined weightcontent of ethylene and alpha olefin of 93 percent to 97 percent basedupon the total weight of the ENB EPDM terpolymer; and a firstnon-conjugated diene content of 3 percent to 7 percent by weight contentbased upon the total weight of the ENB EPDM terpolymer.

The third non-conjugated diene can be a dicyclopenatadene.

Molecular Structure of Third Diene:

Formula: C10H13

Molecular Weight: 132.2

Synonyms for this non-conjugated molecule can include:2-Norbornene,5-vinyl-(6CI,7CI,8CI); 2-Vinyl-5-norbornene;2-Vinylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene; 2-Vinylnorbornene;5-Ethenylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene; 5-Vinyl-2-norbornene;5-Vinylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene; 5-Vinylnorbornene; NSC 61529; V 0062;VBH; Vinylnorbornene

Boiling Point: 170 degrees Celsius

Flash Point: 28 degrees Celsius

Melting Point: 33 degrees Celsius

Density: 0.986 g/mL at 25 degrees Celsius

To form this liquid phase ultrahigh molecular weight ENB EPDM terpolymera propylene monomer is introduced to a saturated hydrocarbon stream at arate sufficient to achieve propylene content in the final liquid phaseultrahigh molecular weight ENB EPDM terpolymer of 25 percent to 35percent of total weight.

The next step involves introducing hydrogen gas to the saturatedhydrocarbon stream at a rate sufficient to control the molecular weightof the final liquid phase ultrahigh molecular weight ENB EPDMterpolymer.

The next step involves introducing a third diene to the saturatedhydrocarbon stream at a rate sufficient to achieve the desired thirddiene content in the final liquid phase ultrahigh molecular weight ENBEPDM terpolymer.

The next step involves introducing an ethylene monomer to the saturatedhydrocarbon stream at a rate sufficient to initiate the polymerizationreaction and achieve the desired ethylene content in a final liquidphase ultrahigh molecular weight ENB EPDM terpolymer of 60 percent to 75percent of total weight.

The next step involves cooling the saturated hydrocarbon stream, thepropylene monomer, the hydrogen gas, the third diene, and the ethylenemonomer to below 35 degrees Celsius to create a cooled mixture whileconcurrently introducing a Ziegler-Natta catalyst, a co-catalyst, andoptionally a promoter into a continuous flow reactor, wherein theZiegler-Natta catalyst comprises a transition metal or a transitionmetal compound; the co-catalyst comprises a metal alkyl comprising ahalogen element; and the promoter if used, comprises an oxidizing agentcapable of oxidizing the transition metal, and the oxidizing agent iscapable of generating at least one halogen free-radical per mole of thepromoter.

The next step involves reacting the cooled mixture, the Ziegler-Nattacatalyst, the co-catalyst, the promoter if used, the first diene, insolution phase for 30 minutes to 60 minutes at a temperature from 35degrees Celsius to 65 degrees Celsius and a pressure from 190 psig to230 psig; and forming an ultrahigh molecular weight ENB EPDM terpolymer.

The final step involves continuously blending the VNB EPDM tetrapolymerwith the ultrahigh molecular weight ENB EPDM terpolymer forming a lowdamping high strength polymer with high density impact absorbency andheat resistance.

In embodiments, the process for continuously making a blend of aterpolymer with a tetrapolymers can use 75 to 45 weight percent liquidphase VNB EPDM (such as ROYALENE® 636 made by Lion Copolymer Geismar,LLC of Louisiana), and 3 weight percent to 5 weight percent of a firstsolvent such as isopar, 25 weight percent to 55 weight percent liquidphase ultrahigh molecular weight ENB EPDM terpolymer; and 3 weightpercent to 5 weight percent of a second solvent, such as toluene, basedon the total weight of the formed low damping high strength polymer.

The process for making the terpolymer can include using 0.1 to 0.5weight percent of an antioxidant based on the total weight percent ofthe terpolymer.

The physical properties of the VNB EPDM are in the chart below.

In the table below is an exemplary liquid phase ultrahigh molecularweight ENB EPDM terpolymer made according to this process including thephysical properties of this terpolymer.

Ex. 8 % C3 30 % ENB 4.5 % VNB 0 Mn [Da] 406156 Mw [Da] 857036 Mz [Da]1684181 Mw/Mn 2.21

In the table below are examples of the formed low damping high strengthpolymer prepared according to this described process including thephysical properties.

Ex. 9 Ex. 10 Ex. 11 Ex. 12 Ex. 13 Ex. 14 % C3 25.1 33.1 30.4 36.1 36.434.8 % ENB 10.0 4.6 4.6 4.5 4.4 7.5 % VNB 1.0 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.4 0.2 Mn316892 245400 252745 235342 280083 271063 Mw 1308814 881644 1194814752779 864289 677614 Mz 8035672 5401072 9025672 2686672 2658472 1834072Mw/Mn 4.13 3.59 4.73 3.20 3.09 2.50 Oil, PHR 20 20 20 20 20 29

Turning now to the Figure, FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary flow diagram ofthe process for blending polymers according to one or more embodiments

The first reactor 10 is used to create the VNB-based EPDM tetrapolymer.

In the first reactor 10, the ingredients described above are added inthe sequence already described.

The first reactor 10 product is then flowed to a first short stop tank12 to stop the reaction.

From the first short stop tank 12, the reactor product is flowed to afirst flash tank 14 that removes unreacted monomer.

The reaction product from the first reactor 10 is then flowed from thefirst flash tank 14 to a first wash mixer 16 and agitated.

The agitated mixture is flowed from the first wash mixer 16 to a washtank 26.

The terpolymer is created in the second reactor 18 which contains theingredients to create ENB-based EPDM terpolymer.

In the second reactor 18, the ingredients described above are added inthe sequence already described and then flowed to a second short stoptank 20 to stop the reaction.

From the second short stop tank 20, the reactor product is flowed to asecond flash tank 22.

The second flash tank 22 removes unreacted monomers. Material from thesecond flash tank is then blended with a fluid in a second wash mixer24.

The mixture from the second wash mixer 24 is then transferred to thewash tank 26 already containing the material from the first reactor 10.

In the wash tank 26, water is used to remove unwanted polymer from thetwo blended materials of tetrapolymer and terpolymer.

The washed blend of tetrapolymer and terpolymer is then passed to aflocculent tank 28. In the flocculent tank 28, a flocculent isintroduced to the solids from the wash tank. In embodiments, theflocculent can be steam and water, to remove solvent from the blendedsolids. The blended solids are then compounded into a material used tocreate anti-vibration high temperature resistant motor mounts.

While these embodiments have been described with emphasis on theembodiments, it should be understood that within the scope of theappended claims, the embodiments might be practiced other than asspecifically described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A low damping high strength ethylene propylenediene polymer comprising: a. a tetrapolymer with the followingcharacteristics: (i) polymer chain branching as characterized by atangent delta ranging from 0.15 to 0.75; (ii) a non-linear relationshipbetween viscosity and shear as characterized by the tangent delta from0.15 to 0.75; (iii) a weight average molecular weight of a weightaverage molecular weight of 500,000 to 2,500,000; (iv) a Mooneyviscosity ranging from (ML 1+4@ 125 degrees Celsius) 50 to (ML 1+4@ 150degrees Celsius) 215; (v) an ethylene to alpha olefin ratio ranging from40:60 to 80:20; (vi) a molecular weight distribution ranging from 3.0 to10; (vii) a combined weight content of ethylene and alpha olefin of 50percent to 80 percent based upon the total weight of the VNB EPDMtetrapolymer; (viii) a first non-conjugated diene content of 0.01percent to 25 percent by weight content based upon the total weight ofthe VNB EPDM tetrapolymer; and (ix) a second non-conjugated dienecontent if used of 0.01 percent to 5 percent by weight content basedupon the total weight of the VNB EPDM tetrapolymer; b. a liquid phaseultrahigh molecular weight ENB EPDM terpolymer with the followingcharacteristics: (i) polymer chain branching as characterized by atangent delta ranging from 1.0 to 0.75; (ii) a non-linear relationshipbetween viscosity and shear as characterized by the tangent delta from1.0 to 0.75; (iii) a weight average molecular weight of a weight averagemolecular weight of 700,000 to 2,500,000; (iv) a Mooney viscosityranging from (ML 1+4@ 150 degrees Celsius) 80 to (ML 1+4@ 150 degreesCelsius) 215; (v) an ethylene to alpha olefin ratio ranging from 65:35to 75:25; (vi) a molecular weight distribution ranging from 2.0 to 2.5;(vii) a combined weight content of ethylene and alpha olefin of 93percent to 97 percent based upon the total weight of the ENB EPDMterpolymer; and (viii) a first non-conjugated diene content of 3 percentto 7 percent by weight content based upon the total weight of the ENBEPDM terpolymer; and wherein the VNB EPDM tetrapolymer is continuouslyblended with the ultrahigh molecular weight ENB EPDM terpolymer formingthe low damping high strength polymer with high density impactabsorbency and heat resistance.
 2. The low damping high strength polymerof claim 1, comprising: a. 75 to 45 weight percent the liquid phase VNBEPDM; b. 3 weight percent to 5 weight percent of a first solvent; c. 25weight percent to 55 weight percent the liquid phase ultrahigh molecularweight ENB EPDM terpolymer; and d. 3 weight percent to 5 weight percentof a second solvent based on the total weight of the formed low dampinghigh strength polymer.
 3. The low damping high strength polymer of claim1, comprising: 0.1 to 0.5 weight percent of an antioxidant added to thefinal tetrapolymer product and 0.1 to 0.5 weight percent of anantioxidant added to the final terpolymer product.
 4. The low dampinghigh strength polymer of claim 1, wherein the first diene and the seconddiene are both norbornene derivatives.
 5. The low damping high strengthpolymer of claim 1, wherein the diene is a vinyl norbornene.
 6. The lowdamping high strength polymer of claim 1,further adapted to be: a.extruded; b. molded; c. calandered; and d. combinations thereof.
 7. Thelow damping high strength polymer of claim 1, further comprising anextender oil.